Tracey Fellows steps down as boss of REA Group

REA Group have announced the departure of Realestate.com.au chief executive Tracey Fellows, who will become the president of News Corp's global digital real estate based in New York.

She will start her new role early next year and will be responsible for driving strategy and growth across all of News Corp’s digital real estate interests.

Over her tenure, the REA Group share price has gone from $46 to $76, peaking at $94 in June.

Fellows, who took the helm in 2014 having previously been in senior positions at Microsoft and Australia Post, said it has been a privilege working the the team and the board at REA, which has News Corp as its majority shareholder.

“It’s one of the exciting things about the opportunity; it allows me to take on a new challenge while continuing to work alongside these incredible people - all in an industry I am so passionate about," Fellow said.

"I feel very fortunate. There could not be a more exciting time for a role like this.”

Fellows will stay on the REA Group board on behalf of News Corp.

News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson said Fellows is an inspiring leader and is able to bring out the best in teams and individuals.

“Tracey has driven the rapid expansion of the digital real estate business in Australia and Asia and we believe her leadership internationally will ensure that all of our digital property companies realize their extraordinary potential," Thomson said.

“Audiences, revenue and profits at REA Group have all expanded significantly during Tracey’s tenure as CEO. She has been an irrepressible innovator and has led the company into intelligent adjacencies, such as financial services and property data, which have broadened the revenue base and built a platform for future growth.

“We are keen to capitalize on our sterling success in digital real estate by driving even faster growth in our existing businesses, such as realtor.com®, where Ryan O’Hara and his team have successfully transformed the business, and in seeking out new investment opportunities.

"Tracey is the perfect person to deliver on both of those imperatives for our company and our investors.”

Hamish McLennan, chairman of the REA Group board of directors, said REA Group has seen exceptional transformation and growth since Tracey took the helm in 2014.

"She has the extraordinary ability to harness the power of people, technology and data and has built strong cultural and operational foundations that will drive our growth into the future.

"The Board and I are enormously grateful to Tracey for all she has done and wish her every success in her exciting new role and look forward to continuing to work with her.

It's the second major move by a real estate listing website this year.

Earlier this year Domain appointed former Google managing director Jason Pellegrino after the shock departure of Anthony Catalano.